SWANSEA — The School Department will ask voters at Town Meeting to replace the roof at the Hoyle Elementary School.

The replacement option preferred by both the School Committee and the architectural- engineering firm Russo Bar Associates is to pay for a more expensive roof with maximum durability.

The estimated cost is $568,918 and would be paid with borrowed funds.

Richard J. Gorham, project manager for Russo Bar Associates, presented his recommendation to the School Committee on Monday night.

He said the new roof would be made up of four plies plus gravel surfacing to provide better puncture resistance, especially in areas of heavy traffic.

The Board of Selectmen heard a condensed presentation by Superintendent Robert Monteiro and School Committee member James Carvalho on Tuesday.

Monteiro told the board the roof has failed seams, holes and cuts that have allowed leaks. The main part of the roof gets a lot of traffic because it has 27 units, including fans and air conditioning, that require maintenance.

Monteiro said less durable roofs can puncture more easily. Glass found on the roof from broken bottles, likely thrown from the ground level, may have caused damage. Simply stepping on a screw can cause a puncture in a less durable roof.

The roof has other issues, such as rusted flashing and disintegrating caulking.

A durable roof, Monteiro explained, would also be far superior if a planned solar array is installed.

The current Hoyle roof dates to 1992, when the school was built. There have been 18 leaks.

Carvalho said a durable roof, while under warranty for 20 years, may get 35 years or more. The company would offer free inspections in years two, five, 10 and 15 during the term of the warranty.

Russo Bar offered less costly options, as well, like a built-up system on the main roof and a single-ply on the upper roofs. The cost for this scenario is $539,876. That roofing system would also be under warranty for 20 years.

The firm did not recommend an all-single-ply roof.

“If we do it right the first time, we’re not going to have these problems,” Carvalho said.

Single-ply roofing systems built at some of the other schools in 2001 and 2002 already have leaks. But a more durable system at the Browne School constructed in 2002 has had no leaks.

The Advisory and Finance Committee voted in favor of the more expensive roof system.

If voters approve the article, the project will go out to bid later in the month. Construction would begin in the summer.